Join the Dance of the Dead for its 5yr anniversary! From Hoxton Sq, the theatrical parade of 300 people heads to the bars of Gillet Sq (Dalston). LDN's Mexican Day of the Dead is here! All invited!

Starting point: Hoxton Square, 7pm.
Distance / Duration: 1.6 miles / 45min (approx)
Dress code: Black, white and red.

Learn the OFFICIAL dance moves by watching their instructional video here!

If you'd like to get actively involved, the organisors are holding workshops on 17th and 24th October at the Stoke Newington International Airport. Email William, Mary and Georgia at strangeworks@googlemail.com or check out their Facebook page here. 

MARCH OF THE DEAD - aka DANCE OF THE DEAD
March of the Dead is an outdoor theatre procession for Halloween, run by StrangeWorks, that creatively engages people from the Hackney communities. This event takes place on Kingsland Road running from Hoxton Square to Gillet Square in Dalston. It is carried out in the playful spirit of celebrations such as the Mexican Day of the Dead.

It aims to bring local artists and the wider community together on the streets of Hackney in an uplifting creative way. The parade stems from a desire to bring grass roots theatre onto the streets. The parade has a theme and a brief plot outline, this is a catalyst for people to creatively work in the medium of their choice.

Each year the parade initiates celebration, enjoyment and fun on the streets of Hackney. The parade is currently collaborating with venues and arts organisations such as the Vortex Jazz Bar, Gillet Square, STK International Airport, and Passing Clouds to name a few. Each year the parade grows in size and this year they are particularly excited as it's their 5th anniversary and with your help hope to turn last years 300 strong into many, many more!

CELEBRATING THE DAY OF THE DEAD
The March of the Dead is an event inspired by different customs associated with celebrating death such as Halloween, Samhain, Day of the Dead. Different festivals of the Dead are held by many cultures through out the world in honor or recognition of deceased members of the community, generally occurring after the harvest.

The holiday focusses on gatherings of family and friends to pray and remember friends and family members who have died. The festival of Samhain celebrtates the end of the 'lighter half' of the year and beginning of the 'darker half', and is sometimes regarded as the Celtic New Year. The family's ancestors were honored and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward of harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks.

Halloween is celebrated on the 31st October and has its roots in this celtic festival of Samhain. We would like to challenge popular pre-conceived notions of Halloween by encouraging people to look back at the roots of the festival. The celebration of the dead such as the Mexican Day of the Dead is one of fun, mischief but asks us to take stock of what the year has given us and remember our ancestors. we would like to reclaim this date as a celebration of the Dead.

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS - STRANGEWORKS
StrangeWorks was founded in 2006 by a group of artists who design, construct and facilitate theatrical performances that are specific to people, place and occasion. They aim to inspire and question their audiences. By involving their audiences in unusual situations or presenting them with unusual stories they aim to encourage and facilitate creative thinking. They believe that everyone should have access to creating, participating in and enjoying theatre to encourage confidence and communication. Collaboration across the art forms is intrinsic within StrangeWorks. They work alongside local community groups, arts collectives and individuals to create provocative, inspirational performances and workshops that establish a platform for dialogue and an outlet for creativity within the community.